"Yellowstone" Season 5 Episode 1 recap: The reluctant governor of Montana (2024)

John Dutton and his family enter the world of politics in season five of Yellowstone.

This is uncanny timing by the show's creators, Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, as America reacts to the results of the midterm elections on November 8.

Episode one of season five, titled "One Hundred Years is Nothing," aired on Paramount Network on Sunday night as part of a back-to-back season-premiere special.

In case you missed it or want to go over the finer details of the episode, here's a recap for the opening episode of Yellowstone season five.

What Happened in 'Yellowstone' Season 5 Episode 1?

The fifth season of Yellowstone picks up months after John Dutton (Kevin Costner) announced his run for governor, as the episode opens with him on the brink of victory.

Rather than reveling in his inevitable win, John is uncharacteristically hiding in the bathroom, wanting to avoid the glare of the spotlight for one last time before he steps out into the public eye, for four years.

It's not mentioned, but it seems pretty clear that daughter Beth (Kelly Reilly) has been John's campaign manager, very apt as she's now cemented as her father's right-hand woman.

After suffering political betrayal in the final stages of season four, it seems Jamie (Wes Bentley) has been recruited to John's team, and he's played his role well. He volunteers to introduce his father, John, as he gives his victory speech, perhaps just to remind everyone that he's still around.

In his speech, John tells the crowd that Montana is seen as "the rich man's play thing. New York's novelty and California's toy. Not anymore." His preservation platform proves popular, and is seemingly a precursor for the season ahead as he fights to protect the land, and his ranch, in any way he can.

Just to remind audiences of the fractions within the Dutton family, Jamie and Beth share a long, soulless stare at one another. It's clear throughout the episode that Jamie is not in for an easy ride this season as Beth "owns him."

Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) is watching the action from his casino, speculating as to how this will play out for his tribe.

Caroline Warner (Jacki Weaver) is also watching from the Market Equities headquarters and is most displeased with the election result. She does spot an unhappy Jamie on television before calling for a "Sarah Atwood," who will prove to be a formidable opponent down the line this season.

Flashback

Beth and Rip's origins are explored further via a flashback. Unfamiliar viewers may be aware who these teenagers are, but it quickly becomes very obvious that the sharp-tongued blonde is young Beth Dutton.

She talks Rip into taking her out on a date, which couldn't have gone any worse. After tense exchange, Rip walks out, leaving Beth at a bar at her request. Later, she returns home with another ranch hand and kisses him for a forlorn Rip to watch.

In the present day, with the pair married, Beth apologizes to an oblivious Rip for how badly she treated him in the past. Rip doesn't hold any grudges and tells Beth she needs to find somebody new to fight, otherwise she'll continue to beat herself up.

The Montana State Capitol

Back in the present day, John is preparing for his new life as a governor at the Montana State Capitol in Helena. Talking with (now-) senator Lynelle Perry (Wendy Moniz), he tells her that he's intending to stay in the job only for four years. It's something she encourages him to use to his advantage since he's not concerned about re-election. "You could build a legal wall around this state," Lynelle tells him.

As John is sworn into his new role, he takes an almighty pause before solemnly swearing to uphold the constitution of the United States. No one has ever seemingly wanted a job less than him, and he says as much in his following speech.

With Lynelle's words ringing in his ears, John tells the crowd and the watching media that he's canceling funding for the planned airport, doubling property taxes for non-residents, and adding a 6 percent sales tax on all goods sold for non-residents. Jamie sits nearby, listening incredulously.

In the car on the way back home, John, Jamie and Beth discuss their plans. In a brutal exchange, and yet another blow for Jamie, John tells him this is all his "fault" and that he's had to step into this role as governor when it should have been him.

While being open with his children, and talking about legally dubious plans, John makes sure to get the loyalty of the driver.

Yellowstone Ranch

Back at Yellowstone, all the ranch hands are preparing for the upcoming party for the new governor, but Rip (Cole Hauser) is on edge and warns them against having too much fun.

Fancy guests start to arrive as real-life Texan band Shane Smith & the Saints perform. They're not the only musicians at the event, though, as country music star Lainey Wilson makes a brief appearance. She enjoys a hostile exchange with Beth before catching the eye of one of the ranch hands.

Anyone wondering the age of John Dutton III gets their answer in his conversation with Lynelle. He took over running the ranch when he was 34, and he's run it for 30 years since.

While the festivities continue on the ranch, Rip is surveying the area from above. Beth dances towards him in a great mood until her new husband brings her back down to earth. He shares his fears that John's new political role may spell the end of Yellowstone Ranch.

Catching up With Kayce

We don't catch up with Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) until halfway through the episode, in a joint operation between livestock agents and the Canadian police to catch a number of horse thieves.

Kayce bends the rules slightly to keep the criminals on the American side of the border so his team can get credit for the arrest and the horses. He once again displays impressive skills in lassoing one of the assailants off his horse.

Later on at the episode's climax, Kayce is out dealing with the arrests when he gets a call from his very pregnant wife, Monica. She's going into labor three weeks early and drives herself and son Tate (Brecken Merrill) to the hospital. Unfortunately, they get into a car crash on the way.

When everyone arrives at the hospital, we see Tate and Monica have survived, but she lost the baby. Tate tells his grandfather John that they named the baby after him, but the newborn died after just an hour of being alive.